http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine#Chronic_toxicityMelamine-Wikipedia
"Ingestion of melamine may lead to reproductive damage, or
bladder or kidney stones, which can lead to bladder cancer.[14][19][20][21][22]
"A study in 1953 reported that dogs fed 3% melamine for a year had the following changes in their urine: (1) reduced specific gravity, (2) increased output, (3)
melamine crystalluria, and (4) protein and occult blood.[23]
"Wilson Rumbeiha, an associate professor in MSU’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, commenting on results from a survey commissioned by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and designed and implemented by MSU toxicologists presented at the AAVLD's October 2007 meeting, said:
"Unfortunately, these [melamine cyanurate] crystals don’t dissolve easily. They go away slowly, if at all, so there is the potential for chronic toxicity.”[24][25][26]
Leaving the Wikipedia citation numbers in this, as there are links to them on the Melamine Wikipedia page.
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USA Today (blog) September 11, 2008
Reports: Chinese company recalls tainted formula after babies fall ill
"Tests show that some of the formula was contaminated with melamine, the same industrial compound that poisoned thousands of pets last year in the United States, according to Shanghai Daily.
""This year, at least 59 kidney-stone cases in infants have been reported in Gansu and other provinces," the paper says. "Investigations showed that most of the baby patients had drunk the Sanlu formula."
"Xinhua, the state-run news agency, says Sanlu Group found traces of
melamine, also known as tripolycyanamide, and is recalling all the "baby milk powder" it manufactured before Aug. 6. Shanghai Daily says
about 700 tons of the formula is still in circulation."Melamine is a byproduct of plastic manufacturing. It can be used to mimic high-protein additives such as wheat and rice gluten. The FDA is preparing a Health Information Advisory on the problem and expects to release it within the next five hours.
""A spokesperson for Sanlu said the company is investigating whether counterfeit formula was mislabeled," CBC reports."
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_0icROcE8vDvBdanXyvd0g600oQD934MUG80Associated Press September 11, 2008
"Federal officials warned Thursday that
tainted infant formula from China may be on sale at ethnic groceries in this country, even though it is not legally approved for importation.
"The Food and Drug Administration urged U.S. consumers to avoid all infant formula from China, after several brands sold in that country came under suspicion of being contaminated with melamine, a chemical used in plastics. Officials said there have been reports from China of babies developing serious kidney problems as a result.
""We're concerned that there may be some infant formula that may have gotten into the United States illegally and may be on the ethnic market," said Janice Oliver, deputy director of the FDA's food safety program. "No infant formula from China should be entering the United States, but in the past we have found it on at least one occasion."
"All U.S. brands of infant formula are safe, Oliver said. After hearing of the latest food safety scandal in China, the FDA checked with formula manufacturers here to determine if they were receiving any ingredients from that country. They were not.""We want to assure the American public there is no threat of contamination to the domestic supply," said Oliver.
"There have been no reports of illnesses in the U.S., but officials are concerned that some Chinese formula may be on sale at ethnic groceries, particularly in places like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston that have large populations of Chinese immigrants. The FDA is working with state officials to spread the word in immigrant communities.
"
Melamine is the same chemical involved in a massive pet food recall last year. It is not supposed to be added to any food ingredients, but unscrupulous suppliers in China sometimes mix it in to make foodstuffs appear to be high in protein. Melamine is nitrogen rich, and standard tests for protein in bulk food ingredients measure levels of nitrogen."
